About us

Raukawa Whānau Ora is a limited liability company with Te Rūnanga o Raukawa as the sole shareholder.   This legal structure provides the Iwi with the means to have control and influence at a governance level and to minimise its liability through reduced involvement in management decisions.

Raukawa Whānau Ora was formed with the vision to maximise our contribution to the survival and wellbeing of Māori as a people through the design and delivery of kaupapa based services.

The companies board is named Te Mana Whakahaere and it has six kaitiaki (directors) This group reflects experience in large Crown and commercial entities, local government, senior managers in the regional health industry (Crown and Iwi), tertiary education and finance.

John Barrett

 Chairperson

(Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Te Ati Awa, Ngāti Raukawa)

John is the managing director and co-owner of Kapiti Island Nature Tours and Kapiti Nature Lodge on one of New Zealand’s largest natural treasures – Kapiti Island.

John previously served as Chairman of the NZ Māori Tourism Council, on the board of Tourism NZ, and as a foundation member of WINTA – the World Indigenous Tourism Alliance Leadership Council.

John remains active in Māori education as Trustee for Te Wānanga o Raukawa Foundation as well as serving on Te Mana Whakahaere for many years.  John is also involved in tribal and community development in the economic, social, and cultural spaces.  John is happiest when spending time with whānau.

Paddy Jacobs

Deputy Chair

He uri au no Ngāti Wehi Wehi, Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga, Ngāti Huia ki Katihiku, Ngāti Toarangatira, Atiawa ki Whakarongotai.

Paddy’s vision is that Māori whānau and hapū, in the first instance, identify the capability and capacity that exists within their members.  Members enabled and supported by services driven by Māori values and principles, so that goals and aspirations these members define, can be achieved.

Raukawa Whānau Ora provides the vision, strategic direction, foundation, and capacity for accomplishing “by Māori for Māori” for our communities.

Paddy is currently chair of the Ngāti Wehi Wehi Marae Committee, Secretary of Tumatanui Treaty Claims Cluster, and a board member of Raukawa Whānau Ora.

Paddy holds a Bachelor of Māori Health Studies from Te Wānanga o Raukawa, a Diploma of Frontline Management, and a Certificate of Business from the NZ Institute of Management.

Paddy worked for the Midcentral DHB for nearly 40 years and her various roles included Public health, as a Māori health advisor, Mental health, the Māori health unit, and, in the Disability sector as an assessor working closely with kuia, koroua and younger Maori whānau with disabilities.  The role was linked to Ministry of Health funding which provided services to support independence and quality of life.

Until recently, Paddy also worked as a member of the Levin Budget Service Management Committee and was a board member of Contact Inc which established Te Whare Mahana Community Centre.  In these roles, Paddy gained great insight into both non-Māori organisations operations, and how a collaborative approach creates amazing opportunities.

Barbara Rudd

Since her return from overseas, Barb has worked in the Māori Health and Wellbeing space advocating and championing for whānau and her community for improved local services and outcomes.

During this time Barb has worked alongside a wider cohort of Māori and mainstream professionals, which include the MCHDHB workforce, National and regional health organisations, and Local regional bodies.  Her key focus has been to initiate change and improve holistic outcomes for iwi Māori communities.

Barb continues in her working role as the Māori Health Liaison Officer in the Ōtaki locality for THINK Hauora (previously CPHO).  She is involved in her iwi and hapū affairs, is an active member of the Raukawa Marae Management Committee, and a current board member of both Te Puna Oranga o Ōtaki IFHC, and MCHDHB Uru Mātai Matengau – Cancer Alliance Group.  In her spare time, Barb facilitates the Ngā Hapū o Ōtaki monthly Kaumātua Group and continues to participate in, and support, wakaama and the wider wakaama whānau katoa.

Wayne Kiriona

(Ngāti Huia)

Wayne has a keen interest in the health, wellbeing, and economic development of our iwi.  After more than 20 years’ experience in Mental Health, working for Whaioro Trust, he gained empathy for our whānau.

Wayne’s roles, within Whaioro Trust, varied from coalface support through to CEO.  His service to his whānau and iwi includes 25+ years as treasurer for Matau Marae and a member of Te Rūnanga o Raukawa. He has also had several trustee and director roles on behalf of Ngāti Raukawa.

Wayne is excited by the opportunities that Raukawa Whānau Ora brings, not only to our iwi but to the community as a whole.

Piri-Hira Tukapua

(Ngāti Raukawa Ki Te Tonga, Te Atiawa Ki Whakarongotai, Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Muaūpoko, Taranaki, Ngāi Tahu, Tuwharetoa, Maniapoto, Tainui)

Piri-Hira is the youngest Director of Raukawa Whānau Ora and has been on the board since its inception.  She recently had her first pēpi, Cyrus Te Kakakura, and is enjoying motherhood while still managing her many roles and responsibilities.

Piri-Hira is a qualified Graphic Designer and Secondary School Teacher.  She has had her business, Taitoko Design & Print, for 15 years and has also been involved in a number of other ventures.  Piri-Hira is currently serving her third term as a Councillor in Local Government.  She is a member of the following Committees: Finance Audit & Risk, Hearings, Education Horowhenua, Community Grants & Funding, Horowhenua Road Safety Group, and chairs the Youth Network. Within the local community, Piri-Hira is a member of Te Rōpū Pakihi (the Kāpiti-Horowhenua Regional Māori Business Network), a Trustee of the Horowhenua Learning Centre, a Trustee of the Foxton Medical Centre, and Chair of Paranui Marae, Ngāti Turanga.  Tēnā koutou katoa.